17 Best Clay Face Masks for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin

A blend of kaolin and bentonite clays come together in this face mask to absorb excess oil, while hydrators like aloe vera and allantoin work to soothe and moisturize your skin. The result? Smoother, softer skin and smaller-looking pores every time you apply it (which, reminder, should be once a week max).

Not only does this face mask have a hefty dose of oil-absorbing clays, but it's also got salicylic acid—a straight-up hero for acne-prone folks, thanks to its ability to dive deep into your skin and break down clogged pores. Smooth a thin layer over clean skin, let it sit for 10 minutes, and the formula will cut back on excess shine, minimize the appearance of your pores, and even soothe redness and inflammation (shout out green tea).

Inside this cute jar is a combination of balancing clay minerals, hydrating moringa oil, and, coolest of all, exfoliating lactic acid, which works to smooth and brighten your skin over time. Apply it all over acne- or oil-prone skin, or use it to spot treat your problem areas (think: your oily T-zone or chin).

I get it: Clay face masks have a bad rap for drying out your skin—but you definitely don't have to worry about that with this pick. Along with clay and zinc oxide (two power players in the oil-absorbing game), it's also filled with eucalyptus oil and niacinamide to soothe and hydrate your skin.

There's a reason this clay face mask has thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon (and a pretty loyal celebrity following, no big deal): It only has one ingredient—natural bentonite clay—and it helps treat everything from excess oil to breakouts. All you do is mix it with water (or apple cider vinegar, as long as your skin isn't sensitive), stir until it becomes a paste, and wash it off after 5 to 10 minutes. Trust me when I say your soft-as-hell skin will thank you.

Whether you're dealing with clogged pores, excess oil, dull skin, or inflammation, you can't exactly go wrong with this multi-tasking clay face mask. The formula's kaolin clay works to zap oil and shine (without drying you out, TYVM) while anti-inflammatory extracts (think: strawberry, licorice, and cherry) help soothe any lingering redness.

The coolest thing about this clay face mask? It's made with volcanic clay, which warms up when you smooth it over your skin and immediately gets to work on your oils and enlarged pores. It's also got a triple threat of exfoliators (lactic, glycolic and salicylic acids), making it an excellent choice for treating—and preventing!—breakouts.

The glowing reviews on Ulta don't lie—this pink clay face mask is a godsend for minimizing the appearance of large pores and quickly brightening up the skin (that's due to the formula's Kakadu plum, which is loaded with vitamin C). It also comes with a mini brush to make the application process a legit breeze.

Trust: This combination of activated charcoal powder and bentonite and kaolin clays isn't messing around. And even though it basically acts like a magnet for oil and grime, it never leaves your face tight or dry, thanks to hydrating add-ons like argan oil and shea butter. Let it sit on your clean skin for 10 minutes, rinse it all the way off, and you'll immediately get the hype.

Yup, even the drugstore is stocked with clay face masks—and this one from Cetaphil features a cocktail of bentonite and Amazonian clays to absorb oil and gently exfoliate. As an added bonus, the formula is topped off with apple fruit extract (to hydrate) and cucumber seed extract (to soothe). Not bad for $11, right?

Don't be fooled by the soft-pink packaging—this clay face mask is a legit force to be reckoned with. Not only does it tackle excess oil and shine with Mediterranean rose clay, but it also works to smooth and soften your skin with exfoliating jojoba beads. Just a heads up though: Physical exfoliators are a bit too harsh for sensitive skin types, so you'll want to skip this one if you're easily irritated.

Looking to zap oil and gently exfoliate? Add this clay face mask to your lineup, which calls on kaolin and bentonite clays, exfoliating fruit extracts, and soothing aloe and chamomile to target all of your skin concerns in one fell swoop. It's definitely on the pricey side, but the results are worth it IMO.

Fun fact: This clay face mask also moonlights as an acne cleanser. Just massage a small dollop on damp skin and the formula's clay, sandalwood oil, and chamomile flower will help balance your oil, soothe inflammation, and gently cleanse. Know that it's a bit too intense to replace your daily face wash, but it's a good formula to throw into the mix every few days.

FYI: Sulfur is actually a pretty genius ingredient for treating breakouts—it's a natural exfoliant that helps prevent clogged pores while also keeping your skin nice and smooth. And when combined with oil-absorbing clays and hydrating aloe vera, it becomes a super-impressive face mask (and, tbh, spot treatment).

Don't feel like waiting around for your clay face mask to dry? This one gets the job done in five minutes flat, courtesy of the formula's absorbent clays and super-fine, powder-like pumice. The physical exfoliation of this bb makes it too harsh for sensitive skin types (I know, sorry), but acne- or oil-prone folks that aren't super reactive will love its oil-eliminating abilities.

As effective as clay face masks are, they're also pretty effing messy. That's where this convenient stick formula comes in handy. All you do is glide it over clean skin and it'll leave behind the perfect amount of Mediterranean clay, toning apple cider vinegar, and oil-minimizing willow bark —no mess included.

Don't be alarmed, but after smoothing this clay face mask over clean, dry skin, it'll instantly bubble up and foam. You'll only want to leave this one on for 60 seconds max, during which the formula's bentonite and kaolin clays and witch hazel will help minimize the excess oil in your pores. Selfies are kinda required, btw.